# NTSB CHI94LA174: Piper PA-28-181, N2331M, Weeping Water, NE, May 25, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1994, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Weeping Water, NE
- Coordinates: 40.860427, -96.130767 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8604&lon=-96.1308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA174

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's misjudging compensation for wind conditions.  Factors were tailwind, and wind information confusing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE WINDSOCK AND FOUND IT TO BE ERRATIC.  HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON RUNWAY 35, HOWEVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY AND OVERRAN THE END.  HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD PICKED UP A TAILWIND ON TOUCH DOWN.  THE FBO STATED THAT THE WIND HAD BEEN VARIABLE ALL DAY.

## Factual narrative

On May 25, 1994, at 1215 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 181, N2331M, registered to Smith Center Kite Club, Inc., of Smith Center, Kansas, and operated by a private pilot, experienced an overrun on runway 35 (2,200' x 60' turf/gravel) at Browns Field, Weeping Water, Nebraska.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Freemont, Nebraska, at 1145.

The pilot stated that he checked the windsock and it was favoring runway 35 but it was erratic.  The pilot reported he was aware that the field was short so he made a conscientious effort to land slow and short.  The pilot stated upon touch down he felt like he might have "picked up a surface tailwind."  The airplane landed long, ran off the end of the runway, and went down an embankment.

According to the pilot, the Fixed Based Operator stated "that the wind had been trying to find a direction all morning."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2331M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2331M), registered now, S/N 28-7890247, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890247
- Airframe hours: 2089
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bryan Tillett
- Registered owner: Smith Center Kite Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1993, 112 hours before
- Departed: FET, FREEMONT, NE
- Airport: EPG, Browns, runway 35, 2,200 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 20 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFF, 19 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940525012529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940525012529A), May 25, 1994: Piper PA28181, Weeping Water, NE, Substantial damage. Landed long on short strip. Overran end of runway. Went down embankment. Wind extremely variable.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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